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Negative elements of cryptocurrencies: Exploring the drivers of Bitcoin carbon footprints

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  • Long, Suwan(Cheng)
  • Lucey, Brian
  • Zhang, Dayong
  • Zhang, Zhiwei

Abstract

This paper adopts an interactive network approach to investigate the factors driving the carbon footprint of Bitcoin, a negative aspect of cryptocurrencies. Our findings demonstrate that the dynamics of Bitcoin prices, including both returns and volatility, have a significant impact on the system comprising carbon emissions, energy prices, carbon prices, and financial indicators. During the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic period, the spillover effects are observed to be particularly strong. Furthermore, we find that the dynamics of Bitcoin prices play a crucial role in driving its associated carbon emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Long, Suwan(Cheng) & Lucey, Brian & Zhang, Dayong & Zhang, Zhiwei, 2023. "Negative elements of cryptocurrencies: Exploring the drivers of Bitcoin carbon footprints," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PA).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:58:y:2023:i:pa:s1544612323004038
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2023.104031
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zribi, Wissal & Boufateh, Talel & Guesmi, Khaled, 2023. "Climate uncertainty effects on bitcoin ecological footprint through cryptocurrency environmental attention," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PD).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Bitcoin; Carbon footprint; COVID-19; Cryptocurrency; Emissions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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